This is the first preseason game, Miami did not game plan on either side of the ball, three of the offense's stars(Long, Marshall, Bush) didn't play and Matt Ryan led a touchdown drive against our backup defense. Henne struggled tonight, but his first interception was definitely not his fault as Fasano let the ball bounce off his chest into the defenders arm. The interior line is still a work in progress, but nothing to be concerned about at this point with a new offensive scheme and a rookie center.
The Dolphins did win, but I am not going to use that as an argument. I have said all along that preseason results do not matter and even the play from the starters in the first game is not a determining factor of what is to come. I am happy the Dolphins won, they smoked the Falcons from the second quarter on, but I don't feel any better or worse about this team than I did earlier today. I still maintain this is likely a playoff team that will win between 9 and 10 games. Henne throwing two picks in the first quarter of the first preseason game after a lockout is no cause for concern. Just like Henne connecting on a bomb with Hartline for a touchdown is no cause for over excitement. I also would not be too concerned with the starting defense. They return 10 starters from the 6th best defense in the league, and replaced the 11th with an upgrade. We know what they can do, so lets not flip out over one quarter in the first preseason game. This defense is solid.
I did think Matt Moore played well, but again, first preseason game and he was going up against backups. Though I wouldn't mind seeing what he can do against a first team offense sometime during the preseason.
A couple of guys that got my attention were Jimmy Wilson, Clyde Gates and Phillip Livas. Again, still just a preseason game, but these three rookies definitely turned some heads tonight, especially Livas. We have to see if Livas can continue during the preseason, but I think there may just be a chance they keep 6 WR so Livas can be the returner. He just seemed to be a natural with the ball in his hands. No real dancing or thinking, he just hit the holes and picked up yards. His touchdown return was pretty special.
Before anyone gets too excited or too upset, please just remember this is the first preseason game. The best news of the night is that the Dolphins came out of thise game with no apparent major injuries.
